Page 16 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION

REPORT OF THE ACCOUNTING OFFICER

Public Private Partnerships
Future plans of the Department
The Department did not enter into any public–private partnerships during the reporting period.
Government adopted seven priorities over the 2019 to completed to extend social assistance coverage and
2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). These introduce social insurance cover for all workers in the
priorities provide a practical Framework within which the formal and informal sector. Discontinued activities / activities to be discontinued
Sixth Administration is implementing the National Devel-
opment Plan (NDP). While the Department supports and The Department developed a five-year Strategic Plan The Department is amending the Fund-Raising Act (Act No.107 of 1978). The Amendment Bill seeks to address the
contribute to the six other priorities, it has been given the (2020/21 – 2024/25) which reflects how it contributes to fragmentation and inefficiency that currently exists in the process of responding to disasters in the country. The current
task of facilitating social protection imperatives outlined each of the seven (7) government priorities. This legislation provides for multiple funds to address very narrow categories of disasters. The objective of the Bill is to
in the NDP through priority number 4, namely “Consoli- Strategic Plan identifies three key outcomes which the consolidate all relief funds into a single fund with a single Board to enhance responsiveness and efficiency. The
dating the social wage through reliable and quality basic Department will endeavour to achieve over the MTSF Fund-Raising Amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament for consideration during 2020/21. The Amendments will be
services”. period. These key outcomes are: concluded in the 2021/22 financial year.

Priority Number 4 focuses on addressing the multi-di- • Reduced levels of poverty, inequality, Supply Chain Management
mensionality of poverty and inequality, through social vulnerability and social ills
protection which is an umbrella concept that brings • Empowered, resilient individuals, families and The department did not consider any unsolicited bid proposals for the year under review. All procurement was done in
together the following: sustainable communities terms of the department’s Supply Chain Management Policy and procedures to prevent any irregular expenditure. The
• Functional, efficient and integrated sector department continues to promote small, medium and micro enterprises including co-operatives in areas where the
• Social security that draws on Section 27 of the events are hosted.
Constitution to address income dimensions of The Strategic Plan is being implemented in partnership
poverty and contribute to ensuring a standard with the Public Entities as well as through the broader
of living below which no-one falls; partnership with the private sector and civil society
• Measures to address capability poverty, and to organisations. The Strategic Plan may be revised as and
support to early childhood development and when there are major strategic shifts in the mandate of
investments in children; the Department, in line with the government planning
• Labour market activation policies and measures frameworks.
that foster productive inclusion of the
underemployed and unemployed on public The DSD continues to work with the Department of Basic
employment programmes; Education (DBE) on the migration of Early Childhood
• Protective measures for nutritional and food Development. This is in line with the pronouncement
security. made by the President during the 2019 SONA. Several
• Developmental social welfare interventions to milestones have been achieved by the various
address (i) economic and social exclusion and workstreams towards this migration. It is anticipated that
strengthen social cohesion; (ii) ensure that the migration will be completed by the end of March
families and individuals are able to access 2022. The Department will continue to lead the
services, entitlements, and potential economic coordination of the Expanded Public Works Programme
and social opportunities; and (iii) (EPWP) for the Social Sector, which comprises of the
developmental social services to reach out and departments of Health, Education, Social Development,
provide care to the vulnerable such as those Community Safety and Sports, Arts and Culture. The
affected by HIV, women and children abuse, Programme is targeted to achieve 875 000 work
and the disabled. opportunities for the fourth phase which started in April
2019 and will run for the next five years.
By way of implementing the MTSF, the Department will
strengthen social welfare service delivery through The Department finalised the development of a five-year
legislative and policy reforms. These will include among Sector Human Resources Plan (SHRP), in collaboration
others, implementation of the reviewed White Paper for with provincial departments. The Plan seeks to shape the
Social Development while we develop an overarching future workforce demand and supply requirements
Social Development Legislation. The Department will needed to develop the workforce required for the sector,
also continue its work towards amending the Social ensuring that it is appropriately skilled, distributed,
Assistance Act, SASSA Act and the Fundraising Act, the enabled, retained and utilized to achieve sector
Older Persons Act, NPO Act, and the Children’s Act to programmes and outcomes. The Sector Human Resources
address existing gaps and inconsistencies in the Plan was approved and its implementation will provide
legislation. Similarly, new policies and legislation such as the necessary guidance and support in implementing the
the Social Services Practitioners Bill, Victim Support Departments services and mandate.
Services Bill, Policies on linking CSG beneficiaries to
government services, Policy on Mandatory Cover for
Retirement, Disability and Survivor Benefits, Policy on
Maternal Support and Policy Proposal on income support
for 18-59 year olds are being developed. Furthermore,
the White Paper on Comprehensive Social Security will be

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